Chapter 14
World War 2
Movements and Movement Control
Home Base 1939-46
Despatching a Second Expeditionary Force Table of Contingents Dates, Nos, Tonnes
Mov Staff, DST/DEngrs/All arms
MC staff, STOs, RTOs, Ships Army Staffs
Division with Navy, RAAF, Civilian
X
Middle East 1940-42
With fortress Tobruk dependent on the sea lines of communication from Xxxxxxx, port clearance became a principal logistics priority. The schedule was dictated by the need to have blockade-running warships approach and depart the area with as much night protection from enemy air detection as possible, which meant that unloading and backloading had to be effectedbetween xxx and xxx hrs. Avaailable resources were limited to xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx, which required augmentation to give any chance of avoiding the departure of precious supplies not cleared in time, so CAASC 9 Div Lt Col D.A. Watson had to detail xxxxx to the xxxxxxxxxxxx and allot xxxxxxxx to xxxxxxxxxxx etc.
In order to provide a more cohesive solution to the dock clearance problem, HQ AIF at xxxxx decided to raise an Australian docks operating unitn. On xx xxxx the members for xx Docks Operating Coy began to assemble at xxxxxxx under the command of Maj X.X. Xxxxxx. Here xxxxxxxxxx, but by this time the decision to relieve the Australian garrison at Tobruk with 70 UK Division had been made. Although this withdrawal meant that all Australian formations were being concentrated in Palestine-Syria in the buildup of I Aust Corps to participate in a major offensive to roll back Rommel's forces from Egypt, it was decided to continue with the deployment of the company which, after completing training, was ferried by HMAS Xxxxx to Tobruk on the night xx/xx November, coming under command of XX Xxxxxx.
When relieved from its duties in Tobruk port xxxxxxx.
Returning Table of Stats – via India/Colombo/Adelaide – 4 MD AASC report WW2
England 1941-42
X
Malaya and Island Garrisons 1941-42
Australia's contribution to the defence of Malaya and Singapore was essentially two thirds of 8th Division with a slice of corps troops, lodged progressively from February to Xxxxx 1941. Lines of communication and base support was to be provided by the British infrastructure, though some contribution was made to augument this, including reserve motor transport companies, motor ambulance convoys and supply and medical units, Water transport and docks operation was to be xxxxxx.
In a country with a long coastline and river
Papua New Guinea 1939-46
X
Island Campaigns
X
Repatriation
X
Japan
X
Home Base 1939-46
X
State Rwy responsibilities and resources, incl Map of Rwys and Table of track gauges and km
Macarthur offered negro engr div to unify gauges
Participation – any? RSG etc?
Overseas Expedients 1941-46
Tobruk 1941
The confines of the fortress of Tobruk in 1941 were not a likely venue for railway activities, however a niche did appear – not on the wharves as would seem most likely, but in transporting security stores. During the siege,
Palestine and Syria 1941-42
1942 Australian Railway Construction and Maintenance Group supported by South African Pioneers – rail constructed, and then by default, operated by the unit from Tripoli to Haifa.
Malaya and Island Garrisons 1940-45
X – any – Thai-Burma railway?
Bougainville 1945
X – cable rail
Labuan 1945
After the successful conclusion of the 9th Division occupation of the Brunei-Labuan area, the maintenance phase required regular transport of stores between Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx. While there was an existing light rail line, there were no serviceable locomotives or rolling stock, so innovation by 1xx Coy AASC produced jeep trains which ran regular services on the track.
Home Base 1939-46
X
Division with Navy, RAAF, Cwlth S&T, Civil lines, US, Dutch, NZ, Other
Supporting OS
Establishing fleet (incl Coochie Mudlo)
Range of activities
Resupply of NG and Islands
Repatriation
Middle East 1941-43
X
Port of Tobruk, Alexandria, Suez
Return
Malaya and Island Garrisons 1941-42
Brit activity
Penang Ferry
Water Tpt Mersing
Manning ships
NG Admin evac Rabaul et al
Papua New Guinea 1939-46
Rabaul
Milne Bay, Goodenough
POM-Wau-Bulolo
Gona-Buna
Dove Bay
Lae, Sio, Aitape-Wewak
Island Campaigns 1944-46
Morotai, Borneo
Bougainville, Porton
Manus, Nauru etc
Postwar
Japan 1946-1952
X
Navy, RAAF, Brits, Yanks, NZ
Home Base 1939-46
X
Supporting OS
Wharfie troubles
Forklifts and pallets
Docks Operating Groups and Companies
Air, Road Tmls
Middle East 1940-43
X
Port of Tobruk, Alexandria
Malaya and Papua New Guinea 1939-46
X
Singapore
Expedient operations POM – inf bns etc
Island Campaigns 1944-46
X
Backloading eqpt
Japan 1946-52
X
Brits, NZ, Navy, RAAF
Home Base 1939-46
X
Services, manning, philately
Servicing overseas – ME, England, Mal-Garrisons, PNG, Islands (also incl Burma, POW Europe, Jap etc)
Table of Throughput and types
Exp Force telegram code
Middle East and England 1940-43
X
Papua New Guinea and Islands 1939-46
X
Japan 1946-1951
X
References